CBS Sports analyst Heath Cummings releases 2026 Fantasy Football rankings analysis following NFL Draft
Rashee Rice ascends to top-five wide receiver status while RJ Harvey falls outside the top 25 amid increased competition
CBS Sports analyst Heath Cummings has released a comprehensive analysis of the 2026 Fantasy Football offseason, highlighting significant movements in player rankings following the conclusion of the NFL Draft. The assessment, published on 8 May 2026, identifies Rashee Rice as a primary riser, projecting the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver to secure a top-five position in fantasy points per game. Cummings notes that the Chiefs did not utilise their draft capital to acquire target competition for Rice, a strategic decision that has elevated his projection to being taken in the first round of his mock draft.
Conversely, the analysis indicates a notable decline for running back RJ Harvey, who is now projected to fall outside the top 25. This shift follows the Denver Broncos' selection of Jonah Coleman in the draft. Cummings outlines two potential downsides for Harvey, suggesting that Coleman could either absorb a share of the workload, potentially creating a three-man committee, or assume the early-down role if J.K. Dobbins misses time. Consequently, Harvey is no longer considered a top 24 running back in the analyst's current projections.
The Indianapolis Colts roster restructuring has also altered the landscape for wide receivers, with Jahan Dotson expected to rise in value following the departure of Michael Pittman. The analyst points out that the Colts have not yet signed a significant replacement for Pittman, leaving Josh Downs in a position to become a top-tier starter. Downs' projection relies on maintaining his Target Per Route Run efficiency and playing in two-wide receiver sets, which could see him rostered in every league and started in most.
In Miami, the outlook for running back De'Von Achane has deteriorated, with Cummings projecting him to fall to RB5, though noting he is closer to RB7 in his internal rankings. The analyst cites concerns regarding the Dolphins' offensive outlook, suggesting the unit may become disastrous in 2026 due to a lack of a legitimate WR1 or WR2. Furthermore, the presence of Malik Willis at quarterback is flagged as a risk, given his low running back target share in his small NFL sample size and his profile as a quarterback who does not frequently target backs.
Other wide receiver rankings have seen adjustments based on team investments and injury uncertainties. Garrett Wilson is projected to drop to WR18 after the New York Jets committed significant draft capital to Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper, which may reduce his target share. Additionally, Malik Nabers has been downgraded to WR12 due to uncertainty surrounding his recovery from delayed surgery, with his ranking remaining volatile until his physical condition is confirmed at training camp.
The analysis also touches on the Philadelphia Eagles, where A.J. Smith is projected to become the dominant WR1 should A.J. Brown be traded to New England. Although this trade has not yet occurred, Smith has averaged more than nine targets per game in a small sample size without Brown, leading to a projection that he could easily be a top 12 wide receiver for Fantasy purposes if the offensive coordinator changes and the pass rate increases.
